While we've all been trying to stay on top of our normal course workload, finals week has slowly been creeping up on us. And although we've managed to keep pushing the thought out of our minds, the time has come to buckle down and tackle our stress head on. Trying to juggle final essays, projects, and exams in all of your classes can be overwhelming, but having the right approach to studying can make the experience a lot less stressful. So here are 10 tips to help get you through the dreaded finals week:
1. Find a good study environment
Where you choose to study can make all the difference in how productive you wind up being. Some people do well studying alone, while some prefer to be around others. Only you know where you study best, so it is important to be honest with yourself. If you want to study in bed, but know that you'll probably end up falling asleep or watching Netflix, you should probably choose to study elsewhere.
2. Eliminate distractions
Today we are constantly exposed to distractions, and they can be difficult to escape. I go on my phone to answer one text, and next thing I know I've spent a half hour mindlessly looking at things on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. When you study, put your phone on do not disturb and turn it over so that you're not tempted to check it every time you get a notification.
3. Incentives
Sometimes I desperately need to study, but all I want to do is watch an episode of Parks and Recreation on Netlfix. So I'll study for one hour, and then reward myself with 15 minutes of Netflix. Incentives can be really helpful for studying, because it forces you to accomplish something before allowing you to do something you enjoy.
4. Take breaks
Although studying is important, it is also important to take breaks from studying to allow yourself to relax. If you study constantly it will become harder and harder to process the information you're taking in. You can take a power nap, call a friend, or listen to some music–– anything to give your brain a break!
5. Prioritize
Write out everything you need to get done and prioritize them based off of when they need to be done by and how much work they will take. Try and tackle the subjects you are more concerned about first, and then the other subjects.
6. Make a check list
From the prioritized list, make a check list. Try and break down big tasks into lots of smaller ones. It sounds silly but getting to check off more items makes you feel more accomplished and less stressed out.
7. Find motivation
Think about why you are doing this and why it is important that you do well. Keep in mind that after this hellish week, you get to go home and relax! Be motivated by the fact that if you finish all your tests strong, you will feel so rewarded.
8. Don't spend too long on one subject
Spending too much time on one thing can be tiring and ultimately result in accomplishing less in the long run. If you split up your time amongst different subjects you'll wind up feeling more prepared for your finals overall.
9. Listen to music without words
Sometimes listening to music with words can get really distracting, so I like to put on some instrumental music to help me focus on my work. It's easy to find a good playlist on Spotify or YouTube.
10. Sleep!
Sleep is so important when it comes to preparing for finals. It's impossible to study when you're running on minimal sleep, and covering it up with coffee will only help for a short amount of time. Get a good night's rest so you can make the most of your studying!
